“All dredge material will be placed onshore on existing industrial land. No dredge material will be placed in the World Heritage Area or the Caley Valley Wetlands.”

The expansion will allow coal from projects such as Adani’s $12.5bn Carmichael project in the Galilee Basin, to be shipped for export.

Queensland Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Anthony Lynham said: “The approval is another milestone towards realizing the jobs and economic benefits that developing the Galilee Basin could bring to Queensland, while continuing to protect the Great Barrier Reef.”

In addition to dredging, the approval allows freighters to be dock at Abbot Point.